As of a couple months ago Carl Pavano was trying to make a comeback after missing all of last season following a gruesome home accident in which he suffered a ruptured spleen, but now he’s ready to call it a career.

Pavano’s agent told Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors that the 38-year-old right-hander is retiring after 14 seasons in the majors, issuing the following statement:

Despite my strong desire to compete and hard work in preparing for the upcoming season I feel that the amount of time lost from my spleen injury, coupled with the recovery from my complications from that injury, preclude me from continuing to compete at my highest level, which is necessary to perform in the major leagues.

Pavano will probably forever be a punchline in New York for his injury-filled Yankees tenure, but he had a handful of very good seasons for the Marlins and Twins. He made an All-Star team in 2004, topped 200 innings four times, made 10 postseason appearances with a 2.51 ERA, was once traded for Pedro Martinez, and earned more than $70 million.

I miss the Expos too. My first 10+ ballgames were in that “park” (parks have grass, so I feel obligated to use quotes). Granted, I was there rooting for the Braves many of those times, but still, miss the ‘spos.

Yeah, it’s always hysterical to make fun of someone who is hurting and in pain. Because those three seasons after Pavano left the Yankees in which he averaged over 200 IP a year just prove what a total slacker he was.

I think there was a question among his Yankee teammates as to how bad he was hurting and in pain. It’s pretty rare for a player on your own team to doubt your claim of injury, so there was probably something to the suspicion.